TUESDAY 24th
Read Daniel 6
We are all familiar with this story of Daniel being thrown into the den of lions, likewise the earlier story in Daniel 3 when the three Hebrew lads were thrown in the fiery furnace.
What we see in these two Bible narratives is a King called Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3 and a King called Darius in Daniel 6 who sought to exalt themselves above what God intended them to be as Kings. Nebuchadnezzar had made himself a golden image and demanded that everyone should bow down and worship this image. The three Hebrew lads who would have known the commandment that we should have no other gods besides the true and living God defied the order to bow down before the golden image and were thrown into the fiery furnace. Darius had made a decree that no one was to petition any god or man for thirty days except himself, but Daniel another Hebrew lad refused to obey the decree and rather instead to continue his regular habit of praying to the true and living God. The result was his being thrown into the lion’s den.
But God came through in both instances, we see his power to protect and to deliver.
The true and living God did what the golden statue could never do because it was a dead inanimate object and did what Darius could never do and protected Daniel from any harm in the lion’s den. The lads in both accounts had remained faithful to the One who they knew was faithful himself.
In the fiery furnace account after discovering the lads were alive without even a hair singed or even the smell of fire upon them the king declared ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo . . .’ (Daniel 3:28) After Daniels account the king declared ‘. . . I make a decree that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever, his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who saved Daniel from the power of the lions.’ (Daniel 6:26-27)
Throughout Scripture we see so many times how God comes to deliver his people
I don’t know how many of those in positions of authority around the world would claim to be genuine Christians, Among the Kings, Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers and leaders of states, I guess just a small minority. As the nations of the world are going through the present crisis’ we have heard very little mention from these leaders in regard to a call to prayer. But among the citizens of the earthly kingdoms, we thank God that there are men and women who like the three Hebrew lads and Daniel are citizens of the kingdom of God. We may often feel we are in a minority, but with God we can become a majority. As we bow the knee to the One who is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords we can believe that we will see our faithful God come through in His mighty power to deliver the world from the dread and fear of the Coronavirus.
Thank God that whatever our nationality or citizenship is here on earth we belong to his kingdom because of his grace, a kingdom that is an everlasting kingdom. Paul also reminds us that because of his grace we are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. (Ephesians 2:19) With this scripture in mind as we cannot meet together pray specifically for our family of believers in Emmanuel and maybe if you can, give one of them a phone call to say you are thinking of them and praying for them. Maybe they will share a present need with you for further prayer.
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood
A holy nation, belonging to God
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood
A holy nation, belonging to God
You have called us out of darkness
To declare Your praise
We exalt You and enthrone You
Glorify Your name
You have placed us into Zion
In the new Jerusalem
Thousand thousand are their voices
Singing to the Lamb
David Hadden © 1982 Restoration Music Ltd. CCLI788682